Apparatus for testing tubular members



Dec. 19, 1939; c. A RICHARDSON 2, ,97

APPARATUS FOR TESTING TUBULAR MEMBERS Filed April 8, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet1 INVENTOR. WITNESSES BY 7 N 6%. @MM

Q H 7W5 '05 A; ATTORNEY6 Dec. 19, 1939. c. A. RICHARDSON APPARATUS FORTESTING TUBULAR MEMBERS FiIed April 8, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.mam

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Dec. 19, 1939. c. A. RICHARDSON APPARATUS FOR TESTING TUBULAR MEMBERS J5 INVENTOR.

Filed April 8, 1937 WITNESSES Dec. 19, 1939. c. A. RICHARDSON APPARATUSFOR TESTING TUBULAR MEMBERS Filed April 8, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR. M M {JO/WI. f zzcadlg r WITNEJJEJ M ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 19, 1939.' c. A, RICHARDSON 2,183,974

APPARATUS FOR TESTING TUBULAR MEMBERS Filed April a, 1937 7 sneets'sheet 5 mmrssts i INVENTOR- mam. 0604M BY wwxop-tw fi v M ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 19, 1939. -c. RICHARDSON 2,183,974

APPARATUS FOR TESTING TUBULAR MEMBERS Filed April. 8, 1937 7Sheets-Sheet 6 v 10./- .fi v I Q 37 j/ I INVETNTOR. WITNESSES M 6b 4 ww-M A4, ATTORNEYS.

C. A. RiCHARDSON APPARATUS FOR TESTING TUBULAR MEMBERS Dec. 19, 1939.

Filed April 8, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. w/r/vsssas ,mwvm

ATTORNEYS.

Patented n... 19, 1939 PATENT orncs amaau r i APPARATUS FOR TESTINGTUBULAR MEMB ERS Charles A. Richardson, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor toUnited Engineering & Foundry Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Application April 8, 1937, Serial No. 135,741

13 Claims. (01. 13-51) This invention relates to apparatus for testingleak resisting characteristics of tubular members and more particularlyis concerned with apparatus for testing welded pipe of relatively large5 size and length by subjecting it to internal fluid pressure.

' In the manufacture of tubular members and particularly welded pipe, itis standard practice where these members or pipes are to be used to mconvey fluid under pressure to subject them to a final manufacturingtest of internally applied fluid pressure. Heretofore various apparatusto perform the'indicated test has been suggested and employed. Knownapparatus is,.however,

I open to various objections which include (a) the inability to rapidlyadapt the apparatus to take a plurality of sizes of pipe tobe tested,(b) in ability to inspect and operate on the pipe during the test,slowness of operation of the apps-- g9 ratus in receiving, clamping andreleasing the pipe tested, (d) initial cost' and up-keep expenses, and(e) labor required in operation.

It is the general object of my invention to avoid and overcome theforegoing and other difliculties 25"-0f and objections to known types ofpipe testing apparatus by the provision of improved apparatus'adapted toquickly and satisfactorily receive, test and expel pipe or other tubularmem-' bers of widely varying sizes and in which the 3 member tested canbe observed and operated on during the testing .operation whileadequately supported at'a'plurality of points spaced along its length.

The foregoing and other objects of my inven- 35 tion are achieved by theprovision of testing apparatus including a frame carrying a housing atone end which reciprocably carries a head movable by suitable means intofluid tight relation with one end of the tubular member tested.

40 Means are providedflfor supplying fluid under pressure to theinterior of the head and thus to the inside of the pipe. Movablymountedon the other end of the frame and adapted to engage with theother end of the member tested is a 45 head having means for moving itto and from, and locking itin any of a plurality of positions relativeto the first-named head. Positioned between. the'heads and movablycarried on the frame are a plurality of carriages with means for 50moving the carriages to distribute them between the heads regardless ofthe position thereof.

Each carriage supports clamping means in alignment with the heads andcompleting the assembly from between the clamping means when they areopen. 1

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment oftesting apparatus incorporating the principles of my invention; Fig. 2is a side elevation partly broken away of the apparatus shown in Fig. lFig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the housing andreciprocable head of the apparatus as taken on line IIIIII of Fig. 1;Fig. 4 is atransverse vertical cross-sectional view taken on line IVIVof Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional View takenon line V-V of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a side elevation on a larger scale ofthe movable head shown in Figs. land 2; Fig. 7 is a'transverse verticalcross-sectional View .taken on line VII-VII of Fig, 6; Fig. 8 is atransverse vertical cross-sectional view taken on line VIIIVI1I of Fig.'6; Fig. 9 is a plan view but on a larger scale of one of the clampingcarriages illustrated.

in Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical crosssectional view taken online XX of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a rear elevation, partly broken away, of the carriageclamping means of the invention.

Broadly, the apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles ofmy invention, is adapted to test tubular members of substantiallyv anytype by applying fluid under pressure to the interior thereof.Specifically, however, it is adapted to test pipe and particularlylongitudinally welded pipe of from about 2 to about 16 inches indiameter and of any desired wall thickness and from about 10 to about 50feet long.

Frame and general assembly Referring particularly to the accompanyingdrawings, the numeral lllindicates generally a frame mounted upon anysuitable foundation l2 and including uprights i4 and i5 carrying alongitudinally extending, centrally positioned overhead beam IS. Theframe Ill likewise carries centrally positioned, longitudinallyextending plates l8 and which are secured between the uprights i4 and ISin the position best shown in Fig. 2. The plates l8 and '20 are'providedwith a pluralityof transverseholes 22 and 23 to which a movable head,indicated generally by the numeral'26, is adapted'to be adjustablysecured. The uprights I5 at the end of the frame l0 opposite the movablehead 26 are secured to a housing, indicated as a 'whole by the-numeral28, which reciprocably carries a head 30. A tubular member T, such as apipe to be tested, is adapted to be clamped between the heads 26.. and30. Completing the general assemblyof the apparatus are a plurality ofclamping carriages, generally about four, each indicated as a whole bythe numeral 32, which carriages are movable supported on the frame I8between the heads 26 and 30 so that the clamping means on the carriagesare in alignmentwith the tube T when in the position shown. Thecarriages 32 are connected end to end by lengths of chain 34 to the head26 and the housing 28 so that regardless of the position of the head 26with respect to the housing 28 the carriages will be positioned betweenthe heads so as to adequately support the tubular member T during thetesting operation. Pivotally mounted on the frame I8 at a plurality oflongitudinally spaced points are a plurality of bell-cranks 36 eachhaving their lower arm pivotally secured to a longitudinally extendingrod 38 operable by fluid pressure'motors 38 and 48, which mechanism, ashereinafter described, effects the clamping andthe ejection of thetubular member T by the carriages 32.

Stationary housing carrying reciprocating head As best illustrated inFigs. 3, 4 and 5, the housing 28, associated with the uprights l5 at oneend of the frame I8, comprises an axial bore 44 which slidably receivesa hollow tubular member 48 formed integral with the head 38. Likewisesecured to the head 38 are a plurality of piston rods 48 each receivedin a suitable longitudinally extending cylinder 58 provided in thehousing so that upon supplying fluid under pressure to the interior ofthe cylinders 58 the head 38 is moved into fluid tight relation with oneend of the tubu-r lar member T adapted to be tested. The hollow member46 associated with the head is provided with a plurality of slots 52substantially midway of its length which are surrounded by a cham-' ber'54 provided by an extension of the housin 28, which chamber is adaptedto be connected to a source of fluid under pressure as by a connection56. A release port including an L 58 is likewise connected to thechamber 54.

In order to return the head 38 to a, retracted position, each lateralside of the head 38 is connected to longitudinally extending rods 68slidablyreceived by the housing 28 and fastened at their other ends to aspanner plate 82 secured to a piston 64 slidably received in a chamber66 provided in the housing. The release of the fluid under pressure inthe cylinders 58 and the supply of fluid under pressure to the cylinders86 effects the return of the head 38 to a retracted position.

Ady'ustablypositioned head The adjustably positioned head, indicatedgenerally by the numeral .26 and illustrated in particular in Figs. 6, 7and 8, includes a body portion 18, on which are mounted flanged wheels12 which ride upon longitudinally extending rails 14 carried bylongitudinally extending I-beams of the frame I8. The body portion 18carries an electric motor 16 which is connected through gearing 18 and88 to drive the wheels 12 and thereby move the head along the frame asdesired. Each pair of wheels 12 may be connected as by axles 8| to whichare secured aligned sprockets 82 in turn carrying endless chains 84.

- The body 18 is formed with a bifurcated lower portion 88 which extendsaround the plate 28 and which is provided with a transverse borereceiving a locking pin 88. The upper end of the body portion 18 ofthe'head resiliently supports, as by a gibbed connection thereto andadjustable spring means 88, a bifurcated member 82 in turn provided witha transverse bore receiving a locking pin 84. The bifurcated member 82surrounds the upper plate I8 and in order to hold the bifurcated member82 in proper spring-pressed relation with the plate I8 the bifurcatedmember 82 ordinarily is provided with several rollers 86 which engagewith the lower edge of the plate I8. Mechanism for simultaneously"operating the locking pins 88 and 84 may take aplurality of forms. Inthe. embodiment of the invention illustrated, this mechanism includesrocking levers I 88 and 88 pivotally secured near their centers to thebody 18 and at one end through a pin and slot connection to the lockingpins 84 and 88, respectively. The other end of the rocking bars 88 and88 are connected by links I88 to a lever I8I keyed to a shaft I82journaled in the body 18. Keyed also to the shaft I82 is a lever I84which is pivotally connected as by a link I88 to the piston rod I88 of afluid pressure motor II8 mounted upon the body 18. A compression springII2 fastened at one end to the lever I84 and in engagement with the body18 at its other end normally holds the locking pins 88 and 84 in lockingposition. It will be understood that by operating the fluid pressuremotor II8 the locking pins 88 and 94 are moved laterally out of theplates I8 and 28 and that the head 28 is then free to be' movedlongitudinally along the frame I8 by the motor 16 as desired. However,when the particular length of the member T to be tested has beendetermined. release of the pressure in the fluid motor II8 permits thecompression spring II2 to move the locking pins 88-and 84 into the holes23 and 22 of the plates 28 and I8, respectively, to firmly lock andanchor the head 26 on the frame I8.

The portion of the head 26 engaging with the end of the tubular member Tis indicated particularly by the numeral H6 and comprises a circularmember adapted to form a fluid-tight seal with the end of the tubularmember. I may provide a longitudinal aperture in the member II6 whichcan be connected to a conduit II8 to assist in draining fluid from theinterior of the tubular member after testing.

Clamping carriages As best seen in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, each clampingcarriage movably supported upon the framework I8 at spaced pointsbetween the heads 26 and 38, includes a base I28 mounted on flangedwheels I22 which are supported upon the rails 14 carried by thelongitudinally extending I- beams of the frame I8. The clamping meansassociated with each carriage include a relatively fixed jaw I24 and arelatively pivotal jaw I26 which are removably secured, as by bolts I21,to members I28 and I38. The member I28 is, as particularly shown inFigs. 18 and 11, slidably carried upon the base I28 with an adjustingscrew I32 permitting lateral adjustment of the position of the jaw I24so as to adapt the apparatus to handle tubular members of widely varyingdiameters, as for example from about 2 to about 18 inches in outsidediameter. The member I38 is in a similar manner carried by a bracket I33with screw means, indicated as a whole by the numeral I34, functioningto provide for the ready adjustment of the initial position of the clamption I40 to a C-shaped shoe I42 which slidably receives a If-shaped barI44 pivotally secured to the uppermost arms of theseveral bell-cranks36. As above stated, the lower arm of each bell-crank 36 is pivotallysecured to the operating rod 38 so that energizing the fluid-pressuremotors 33 and 40 efiects longitudinal movement of the rod, a rocking ofthebell-cranks and a tilting of the lever I35. This movement'of thelever I35 swings the bracket I33 carrying the'movable clamp I26 awayfrom clamping position. Because of the number of parts in the apparatus,a complete Mechanism for ejecting tubular member from clamping carriagesIn the form of the invention illustrated, and hav-' ing particularreference to Fig. 10, the ejecting mechanism includes with each carriagea pair of levers or fingers I which are pivotally secured at one end toashaft I52 carried by the base I20. Likewise pivotally secured to thebase I20 as by'a shaft I53 are bell-cranks I54 each having one armsecured by a pin and slot connection I66 to the bracket I33. The otherarms of the bellcranks I54 are each in alignment with one of the leversI50 and are also pivotally connected by links I58 with the levers I50.Thus when the fluid pressure motors 39 and 40 are operated to move theclamp I26 downwardly and away from the clamp I20, the pin and slotconnection I56 between the bracket I33 and the bell-crank I56, rocks thebell-cranks to fiip up the levers I through the engagement andconnection between the bell-cranks and the levers I50. Each lever I50may be formed with a finger portion I64 which engages behind the tubularmember during the discharging operation.

It should be understood in the operation of the improved apparatus of myinvention that any desired means can be employed to carry tubularmembers to and from the apparatus. In this connection, I have shown inFig. 10 transverse skids or guides I66 and I61 which respectivelyreceive the tubular member when it is brought to the apparatus andreceive the tubular member when it is carried from the apparatus.

I Measuring mechanism tape I16 extends on both sides of the beam I6.

Secured to the movable head 26 is a vertically ex-' tending arm I14which, as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 8, is fastened to the tape I10. Thusmovement of the head 26 causes corresponding movement of the tape I10.Associated with the bolls her.-

ing 26 is a vertically extending pointer and I16 which extends from thehead 30 to a point vertically above the pipe engaging surface of thehead anddirectlybehind the tape I10. 'By'pr'opwerly calibrating thetapeI10 from zero at a point verticallyabove thepipe engaging surface of thehead 26 in feet toward the head 30, an exact reading in feet between thetwo heads can be readily taken by reading-the tape opposite the pointerI16 carried by the head 30 and this reading will be correct regardlessof whether the movable headhas been adjusted or whether thereciprocating head 30 has been moved.

Operation It is believed that the operation of the embbd1- ment of myinvention just described will be evident from that description. Brieflyreviewing the operation, however, with the clamping jaws I24 and I26 ofeach carriage 32 in the open position the tubular member is moved intoposition be,- tween the jaws by rolling it in on the skids I66 so as toposition one end adjacent the head 36 which is in the retractedposition. Then the movable head 26 is moved alongthe frame I0 and islocked in the nearest possible position to the end of the tubular memberso that the distance between the heads 26 and 30 is slightly greaterthan the length of the tubular member. when the head '30 is in itsretracted position,' but is less than the length of the member when thehead 30 is extended, as heretofore explained. The longitudinal distancebetween the holes 22 and 23 is less than the reciprocating stroke of thehead 30 so that the indicated position of the head 26 can always beobtained. In adjusting the position of the head 26 toward and from thehead 30 it will be understood that the clamping carriages 32automatically distribute themselves betweenthe two heads. This isbecause the clamping carriages are movably. supported on theframe I0 andbecause they are interconnected by the lengths of chain 34. Thus whenthe head 26 is moved away from the head 30 the carriages are picked upone by one as the chains 34 tighten so that the carriages are evenly.distributed between the heads when the head 26 is moved completely tothe end of the frame I0. When the head 26 is moved to its other extremeposition, namely toward the head 30, the head 26 picks up the carriages32 one by one so that at least the same support is given the tubularmember in either extreme position of the head 26. In any intermediatepositions of the head 26 the carriages 32 will be distributed betweenthe heads to provide adequate support for the tubular member duringtesting as will be understood. V

With the tubular member in position between the clamping jaws and inalignment with the heads 26 and 30, fluid under pressure is admitted tocylinders 50 which forces the head 30 into sealing engagement with oneend of the'tubular member and likewise forces the other end of themember into sealing engagement with the head 26. The fluid pressuremotor 40 is now operated which simultaneously moves the clamping jawsI24 and I26 of each carriage 32 into clamping engagement with the sidesof, the tubular mem- Fiuid under pressure is now supplied by way of theconduit 56 to the interior of the tubular member being tested. Dependentupon the size, wall thickness, character and use, the extent of durationand the amount of fluid pressureis controlled in accordance with knownor specified requirements. Likewise additional tests on the tubularmember during the internal pressure test, as for example pounding thetubular member, can be readily accomplished due to the accessibility ofthe tubular member during the entire internal pressure test. It is alsoeasy for an inspector to walk along the front of the testa ing apparatusand carefully inspect substantially the entiresurface of the tubularmember. Once the test has been completed the fluid under pressure in theinterior of the tubular I6 is then energized after releasing thepressure from the motor 4|! which through rod 38, bellcranks 36 andlinkage heretofore described, opens the clamping Jaws I26 and likewisemoves ejecting arms I56 upwardly into engagement with the bottom of thetubular member to move it vertically from between the clamping Jaws. Thetubular member'then rolls out over the surface of the arms I50 and uponthe skids I61. The apparatus is now ready for the repetition of thetesting cycle on tubular members of the same size. Likewise, theapparatus is capable, as heretofore described, of ready adjustment toadapt it to handle tubular members of varying length and diameter.

Summary From the foregoingdescription it will be evident that by thepresent invention I have provided substantially automatic apparatus forrapidly and effectively testing tubular members by applying fluid'underpressure to the interior thereof. My apparatus is capable of handlingtubular members of varying sizes both as to diameter and over-alllength, Particularly is it advantageous to rapidly handle tubularmembers of the same diameter and varying'length inasniuch assubstantially all electrically welded pipe varies considerably in lengthand my apparatus is capable of testing such pipe with a minimum of t meand labor. The tubular member being tested is supported during thetesting operation so that it can be readily pounded during the test andso that substantially its entire surface is free to beinspected forfaults. Various other features of novelty heretofore discussed andhereinafter claimed characterize my advance over known types ofapparatus for testing tubular members.

While in accordance with the patent statutes one embodiment of myinvention has been illustrated and described in detail, it should beappreciated that it is not limited thereto or thereby but is defined inthe appended claims.

I claim:

Apparatus for testing tubular members comprising a frame, a hOllSlllgfixed to one end of the frame, a head reciprocably carriedby thehousing, means for moving the head into fluidtight relation with one endof the tubular member, means for supplying fluid under pressure to theinterior of the head and thus to the inside of the tubular member, ahead adapted to engage with the other end of the tubular member andmovably mounted at the other end-of the frame, means for moving thelast-named head to and from the first-named head, means for locking thelast-named head in any of a plurality of positions relative to theflrst-named-head, means for indicating the distance between the heads, a

carried by the carriages in alignment with the heads for clamping aboutthe tubular member,

means for adjusting the distance between the member engaging surfaces ofthe clamping means, means for simultaneously operating the clampingmeans regardless of the position of the carriages, and means forejecting the tubular member from between the clamping means when theclamping means are opened.

2. Pipe testing apparatus comprising means for sealing against the endsof a pipe, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the interior ofthe pipe, means for clamping against the sides of the pipe, means fordistributing the clamping means along the sides of the pipe and operableby the position of the sealing means, a prime mover, mechanical meansconnecting the prime mover and all the clamping means and adapted tooperate the clamping means regardless of their position, and means forejecting the pipe from the clamping means when they are opened.

3. Pipe testing apparatus comprising means for sealing against the endsof a pipe, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the interior ofthe pipe, means for clamping against the sides of thepipe, means fordistributing the clamping means along the sides of the pipe and operableby the position of the sealing means, and means for simultaneouslyoperating the clamping means regardless oftheir position.

4. In combination in pipe testing apparatus, means removably engagingwith and closing the ends of the pipe, means for supplying fluid underpressure to the interior ofthe pipe, means for adjusting thepipe-closing means to handle pipe.

of different lengths, means for supporting the sides of the pipe atlongitudinally spaced, relatively small areas during testing so thatsubstantially all the pipe can be seen and inspected, said means beingmovable toward and from the pipe-closing means, and means operable bythe positioning of the pipe-closing means for positioning the pipesupporting means.

5. In combination in apparatus for testing tubular members, a fixed headadapted to clamp in sealing relation against one end of the member, amovable head adapted to clamp in sealing relation against the other endof the member, a plurality of movably mounted supports for the memberpositioned between the fixed and the movable heads, and flexible strandelements securing each movable support to the adjacent movable supportand the-movable head to the nearest movable support.

but constructed and arranged to allow the head and support to be movedcompletely together,

and connecting means similar to those last described which connect theremaining movable nected to the movable head.

supports to each other and to the support 0011- areas-14 ably mounted atthe other end of the frame,-

means other than the named head moving means for effecting relativemovement between the lastnamed head and the first-named head, means forlocking the heads many of a plurality of relative positions, a pluralityof carriages movably mounted on the frame between the heads, meansvconnecting the carriages to the movably mounted head so that they canbe moved completely together but not more than a predetermined limiteddistance apart, means carried by the carriages in alignment with theheads for clamping about the tubular member, mechanical means forsimul-.

taneously operating the clamping means regardless of the position of thecarriages, and means for ejecting the tubular member from between theclamping means when the c1amping means are opened.

8. Apparatus for testing tubular members comprising a frame, a housingflxed to one end of the frame, ahead reciprocably carried by thehousing, means for moving the head into fluid-tight relation with oneend of. the tubular member, means for supplying fluid under pressure tothe interior of the head and thus to the inside of the tubular member, ahead adapted to engage with the other end of the tubular member andmovably mounted at the other end of the frame, means other than theiirst-named head moving means for eilecting relative movement betweenthe last-named head and the first-named head, means for locking theheads inany of 'a plurality of relative positions, a plurality ofcarriages movably mounted on the irame between the heads, meansconnecting the carriages to the movably mounted head so that they can bemoved completely together but not more than a predetermined limiteddistance apart,-means carried by the carriages in alignment with theheads for clamping about the tubular member. andmechanicalmeansioropcratingtheclampingmeans' regardless of thepositionoi the carriages.

9.- Apparatus i'ortestingtubuiar members com.-prisingai'rame,ahousingnxedtooneendofthe iramaaheadcarriedbythehousing,meansi'or supplying fluid under pressure to the interior of thehead and thus to the inside oi the tubularmembeaaheadadsptedtoengagewiththeotherendoithetubularmemberandmountedatthe o endoi iramameansicrmovingthelast-namedheadandtheiirst-namedheadrelative to each other to clamp atubular member therebetween, means for indicating the distance betweenthe heads, a plurality of carriages movably mounted on the frame betweenthe heads and constructed and arranged to be moved substantially intoend to end contact when theheads are moved as near together as possible,means for picking up and moving the carriages one by one to space themapart when the heads are moved as far apart aspossible, and meanscarried by the carriages in alignment with the heads for clamping aboutthe tubular member.

10. Pipe testing apparatus comprising means for sealing against the endsof a pipe, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the interior oithe pipe, means for clamping against the sides of the pipe, means fordistributing the clamping means along the sides of the pipe andcontrolled by the position of the sealing means, means forsimultaneously operating the clamping means regardless of theirposition, and means for simultaneously ejecting the pipe item theclamping means when they are opened.

11. Pipe testing apparatus comprising means for sealing against the endsof a pipe, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the interior ofthe pipe, means for clamping against the sides of the pipe, means fordistributing the clamping means along the sides of pipe and operable bythe position of the sealing means, and-means ior simultaneously electingthe pipe from the'clamping means when they are opened.

12. In combination in pipe testing apparatus, means removably engagingwith and closing the ends of the pipe, means for supplying fluid underpressure to the interior of the pipe, means for supporting a portion ofthe sides of the pipe during testing, said means being movable towardand irom the pipe-closing means, and means connected to thepipe-supporting means and to the pipe-closing means and operable bytheposition- 1 ing 01' the pipe-closing means for positioning the pipesupporting means along the pipe regardless of its length.

13. Apparatus for testing tubular members comprising means mounted formovement to and irom each other for sealing against the ends 0! thetubular member .and applying fluid under pressure to the interiorthereof, means for adjustably moving the sealing means relative to eachother, means movably mounted between the sealing means and adaptedtoclamp against the sides of the tubular member at longitudinally spacedpoints, .and means connected to said clamping means and at least one ofthe sealing means for changing the longitudinal position oi saidclamping means with respect to each other when the sealing means aremoved more than a predetermined distance apart.

CHARLES A.-RICHARDBON. Q

